Massage machine



Oct. 27, 1959 J. WERNER ET AL MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORSZ JOHN WERNER RAYMOND F. BOROWSKI ATT'YS J.WERNER ETAL- MASSAGE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTORS: JOHN WERNERRAYMOND F. BOROWSKI @W 1 ATT YS Oct. 27, 1959 Filed Aug. a, 1957 M. 3 nuOct. 27, 1959 J. wERNEiQ EI'AL MASSAGE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledAug. 8, 1957 INVENTORS: JOH N WER NER RAYMOND F. BOR'OWSKI vwE Oct. 27,1959 WERNER EI'AL 2,910,060

MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTORS: W GYRO FIG.I l JOHN WERNER RAYMOND F. BOROWSK! g Q 4 3/2,, ATT'YS United StatesPatent MASSAGE MACHINE John Werner and Raymond F. Borowski, Chicago,111.;

, said 'Borowski assignor to said Werner Application August s, 1957,serial No. 677,124

4 Claims. Cl. 128-33) This invention relates to a machine formechanically effecting the over-all massaging of a human body.

The aim in body massaging is to produce a relaxation of tension on themuscular system and a tonic or sedative elfect on the nervous system.Such results are sought by four major forms of manipulation. Strokingpromotes the circulation of the blood and tissue juices. Kneading tendsto strengthen the muscles and increase their blood supply. Percussionand/ or vibration tends to harden the muscles and relieve nervous painsand strengthen wearied nerves. Rubbing tends to remove remnants ofinflammatory processes and to distribute blood exuded under the skinafter injuries facilitatingtheir absorption of the lymphatics.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a machine whereon arecumbent person may be selectively subjected to any one or all of themajor forms of manipulation characteristic of manual body massaging; toprovide an improved machine of this kind having certain actuable partsselectively or simultaneously operable for effecting these majormanipulations, namely, stroking, kneading, percussion (or vibration),and rubbing; to provide an improved machine of this kind whereon theseseveral manipulations may be effected under the control of either thepatient or an attendant; to provide an improved mechanical massagemachine having several differently actuated elements so horizontallyarranged and relatively positioned as to permit a patient to subjectalmost any part of the body to any one or more of the four major formsof massage manipulation; and to provide a. massage machine of this kindhaving an improved atrangement of mechanisms for selectively actuatingthe several massage-manipulating elements for predetermined periods oftime.

In the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawmgs:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a massaging machine constructed inaccordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the motordriven mechanisms forthe several elements;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective of the machine with the side and endpanels removed;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional, elevation of the machine shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken on the plane ofthe line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of one of themassaging elements taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view of the carriagemounted rollerwhich eflects the undulation of the mas-' saging element shown in Fig.6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the tract structure whereonreciprocates the roller-mounted carriage shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View taken on the-plane ofthe line 99' of Fig. 4; i

the motor-driven mechanisms for the massage machine.

The essential concept of this invention involves three substantiallycoplanar cushion elements, two of which elements are juxtaposedly hingedat the top of a supporting base, and each mounting a vibrator, whichelements are simultaneously actuated by motor-driven mechanism to betilted in opposite directions with respect to each other and to thehorizontal, the third of which elements is a flexible pad spanning anopen part of a top base frame and given an undulating effect by ahorizontally reciprocable carriage-mounted roller.

A machine embodying the foregoing concept comprises a supporting base 12mounting a top frame 13 wherein is arranged three massaging elements 14,15 and 16, in substantially coplanar relationship, and which areVariously actuated by motor-driven mechanisms 17 and 18 to effectanopposite tilting of the elements 14 and 15 and-- an undulation of theelement 16.

The supporting base 12 is an angle-bar framework of conventionalconstruction. It is mounted on casters 19' and overlaid with side andend panels 20, of suitable material, to provide a dust-protectedenclosure for the motor-driven mechanisms 17 and 18. A top frame 13rests on the framework 12 and encloses or mounts the several massagingelements 14, 15 and 16.

The massaging elements 14 and 15 each comprises a plate 21 covered witha cushion pad 22. Each plate is secured to bars 23, by flexiblefasteners 24, transversely arranged at the ends of members 25.Themembers 25 are trunnioned in bearings 26 secured to the under side ofthe top lateral rails 27 of the framework 12.

The plates 21 are of rectangular form and the cushion firm material,such as a good grade of sponge rubber, so

as to afford a yieldingly firm support to the patient recumbent on themachine.

The flexible fasteners 24, whereby the plates 21 are connected to theirrespective supporting bars 23, are con- As most clearly shown in Fig. 9,these fasteners 24 comprise a flanged cup 20 the base of which is aflexible disk 31 in which is seated a nipple 32. The nipple 32-isinternally threaded to receive a bolt 33 extending through the end of abar 23.

The members 25 are here shown of rectangular crosssection, formed attheir ends. with trunnions 34 journaled in the bearings 26. Thesemembers 25 are disposed transversely of the framework 12 inlongitudinally spaced relationship inwardly from one end of theframework 12.

As presently will be pointed out more specifically, the

members 25 are connected to the motor-driven mechanism 17 so that theelements 14 and Y15 tilt on the framework 12 in opposite directions onopposite sides of the horizontal. That is, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4,the two elements 14 and 15 in one extreme of the respective rocking areangulated. downwardly toward each other below the horizontal. In theopposite extremity of their tilting, the elements 14 and 15 areangulated upwardlytoward each other above the horizontal.

The form of manual massage manipulation which this simulates will beexplained later. i

The space between the perimeters of these elements 14 and 15 and thesurrounding top frame 13 is spanned I by flexible strips 35 to keep dustand dirt from entering the panelled framework 12 and to avoid clothingfrom ing 36. The construction of this massaging cushion ele- I ment 16is indicated in Fig. 6. Preferably it is a sponge rubber core 41overlaid with fabric 42 in a manner conventional with mattressconstruction. Around its perimeter, the element 16 is firmly secured tothe top frame 13 by conventional fasteners.

The roller carriage 38 comprises a pair of inverted U- shaped brackets43 transversely connected together by rods 44 and, at their lower ends,mounting wheels 45 for travel on the tracks 39. The tracks 39 here areshown in the form of rods 46 seated in grooves on vertically-spacedparallel runners 47 of a frame 48. Two of these frames 48 are opposedlyarranged on the intermediate lateral rails 49 of the supportingframework 12.

The height of these brackets 43 and the disposition of the track frames48 are such as to position the roller 37 to press the element 16upwardly above its normal plane as the carriage 38 reciprocates back andforth on the tracks 39, so as to effect an undulation of the element 16.

The form of manual massage manipulation simulated by thisroller-undulated cushion element 16 will be explained presently.

The motor-driven mechanism 17 comprises an electric motor 51, reductiongearing 52 and a pair of pitmans 53 and 53' connected by posts 50 and50' to the members 25 of the respective massage elements 14 and 15. Thepitmans 53 and 53 are also connected to the respective sprockets 54 and54 driven by a sprocket chain 55 from a sprocket 56 on the reductiongearing 52. It is the respective lengths of the pitmans 53 and 53' andthe relative positioning of the chain-driven sprockets 5454 thatdetermines the tilting relationship of the massaging elements 14 and 15.

The motor-driven mechanism 18, for the reciprocation of theelement-undulating roller 37, comprises an electric motor 57, reductiongearing 58 and pitman 59 and crank 60 driven by chain-connectedsprockets 61 and 62. The pitrnan 59 is connected at one end to theroller carriage 38 and at the other end to the crank 60. These parts areof such a length and positioning that a complete revolution of the crank60 effects a complete reciprocation of the carriage 38, causing theroller 37 to traverse the element 16 from one end to the other and backagain.

The massage elements 14 and are each supplemented with a vibrator 63 ofconventional construction, such as shown in Fig. 10. Angle brackets 64are bolted to a vibrator 63 and in turn bolted to the under face of aplate 21 of the respective massaging elements 14 and 15. When thesevibrators are activated they transmit the vibrations, somewhat modified,through the cushion pads 22, as presently will be explained more fully.

The controls for the motor-driven mechanisms 17 and 18 and for thevibrators 63 comprise four conventional electric time switches 65, 66,67 and 68 (see Figs. 1 and 11). Switches 65 and 68 control the operationof the motor-driven mechanisms 17 and 18, respectively, whereas theswitches 66 and 67 control the operation of the two vibrators 63,attached to the massaging elements 14 and 15. Any one of these switchesmay be set to operate the respective part of the machine for apredetermined period of time, either separately or in synchronization.

The improved massaging machine is used in the following manner:

One who is to have a massaging treatment, either because it isprescribed or because it is desired, generally will position oneselfeither face up or face down, or on one side or the other, depending uponcircumstances.

On occasion a person may sit upright on any of the massaging elements14, 15, or 16, again, depending upon the results that are being sought.

However one may position oneself on the machine, the several elements14, 15 and 16 and the two vibrators 63 always function the same, withthe intent of securing results characteristic of the movements andreactions of those several parts of the machine.

The elements 14 and 15 are designed to simulate the kneadingmanipulation of manual massaging. The element 16 is designed to simulatethe stroking manipulation of manual massaging. These three elements alsoinvolve an actionwhich simulates the rubbing manipulation of manualmassaging. The vibrators are designed to simulate the percussionmanipulation of manual massag- In the more conventional use of themachine, the one would lie supine with the buttock on the element 15 andthe back on the element 14, with the head resting on a pillow on theheadboard 69. The small of the back would be disposed over the spacebetween the elements 14 and 15 and the legs would be resting on thecushion of the element 16. As circumstances require, or as desiresdictate, one or another of the time switches 5-68 would be turned to onposition for such period of time as required.

When the switch 65 closes the circuit to the motordriven mechanism 17the elements 14 and 15 are tilted back and forth from the position inwhich they are shown in Fig. 4 to oppositely inclined positions. Suchback and forth movements of these elements 14 and 15 tend to knead andrub the patients buttock and back.

When the switch 68 closes the circuit to the motordriven mechanism 18the reciprocation of the carriage 38 causes the roller 37 to reversiblytraverse the under side of the cushion 36 of the element 17 thuseffecting an undulation of the cushion 36. Such action tends to strokethe leg muscles very much as is done by the hand in manual massaging.

When either or both of the switches 66 and/ or 67 close the circuit orcircuits to one or both vibrators 63, the resulting vibrations from therespective units are transmitted to the respective plates 21 and pads 22and thence to ones back and buttock respectively.

When occasion requires, or desire dictates, one may lie on the machineface down or on one side or the other, or even reverse oneself with theback or breast positioned on the element 16 and the legs positioned overthe elements 14 and 15. Moreover, if one requires or desires a specialaction on the buttock one may sit on the elements 14 and 15.

In any use of the machine, the separate or simultaneous operation of theseveral elements 14, 15 and 16 and the vibrators 63, as well as theperiods of time, must be determined by what may be prescribed, if one isfollowing the guidance of an experienced massagist, or what may bedesired, if one is following ones own fancy.

Although but one specific embodiment of this inven tion is herein shownand described, it will be understood that numerous details of theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from thespirit of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

We claim:

1. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of memberstransversely trunnioned on fixed axes on the frame in spaced coplanarrelationship longitudinally of the frame, a pair of bars secured to eachmember transversely adjacent the respective ends, cushion fastenerssecured to the ends of each bar, a rectangular-shaped plate securedadjacent its corners to the respective cushion fasteners, paddingcovering the top of each plate to support a recumbent body, motor-drivenpitman mechanism connected to the members to cause a simultaneousopposite tilting of the padded plates in opposite directions out of thental 9 first a manipulation of the p contacting portions of a recumbentbody, and switch means for controlling the operation of the motor-drivenpitman mechanism.

2. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of padded elementsjuxtaposedly hinged to the frame in substantial coplanar relationship tosupport a recumbent body, each element hinge being located transverselymedially of the respective element, a cushion spanning an open top partof the framelongitudinally adjacent one of the elements and coastingwith the elements to support a recumbent body, a roller mounted forreciprocation on the frame in contact with the under face of thecushion, motor-driven mechanism for causing a simultaneous oppositetilting of the two elements in opposite directions out of the horizontalto effect a manipulation of the element-contacting portions of arecumbent body, other motor-driven mechanism connected to reciprocatethe roller to undulate the cushion to effect a manipulation of thecushion-contacting portions of a recumbent body, and switch means forcausing the independent or simultaneous operation or" the twomotor-driven mechanisms.

3. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of padded elementsjuxtaposedly hinged to the frame in substantial coplanar relationship tosupport a recumbent body, each element hinge being located transverselymedially of the respective element, a cushion spanning an open top partof the frame longitudinally adjacent one of the elements and coactingwith the elements to support a recumbent body, a roller mounted forreciprocation on the frame in contact with the under face of thecushion, motor-driven mechanism for causing a simultaneous oppositetilting of the two elements in opposite directions out of the horizontalto elfect a manipulation of the element-contacting portions of arecumbent body, other motor-driven mechanism connected to reciprocatethe roller to undulate the cushion to efiect a manipulation of thecushion-contacting portions of a recumbent body, a vibrator connected toeach of the pair of elements, and switch means for selectivelycontrolling the independent or simultaneous operation of the twomotordriven mechanisms and the vibrators.

4. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of memberstransversely trunnioned on the frame in spaced coplanar relationshiplongitudinally of the frame, a rectangular plate secured medially toeach of the members, padding covering the top of each plate, a cushionspanning an open top part of the frame longitudinally adjacent one ofthe padded plates and coacting with the padded plates to support arecumbent body, a roller mounted for reciprocation on the frame incontact with the under face of the cushion, motor-driven mechanism forcausing a simultaneous opposite tilting of the two ele-.

ments in opposite directions out of the horizontal to efiect amanipulation of the element-contacting portions of a recumbent body,other motor-driven mechanism connected to reciprocate the roller toundulate the cushion to effect a manipulation of the cushion-contactingportions of a recumbent body, a vibrator mounted on the under side ofeach of the plates, and switch mechanism for selectively controlling theindependent or simultaneous operation of the two motor-driven mechanismsand the vibrators.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,152,431 Jensen Mar. 28, 1939 2,448,162 Wettlaufer Aug. 31, 19482,660,999 Thornton Dec. 1, 1953 2,666,429 Alexander Jan. 19, 19542,722,929 Little Nov. 8, 1955

